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SOMALIA FLAG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

STORY: SOMALIA FLAG 60TH ANNIVERSARY
TRT: 2:25
SOURCE: AU/UN INFORMATION SUPPORT TEAM (IST)
RESTRICTIONS: This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is not to be sold on and is restricted for other purposes. All enquiries to news@auunist.org
CREDIT REQUIRED: AU/UN IST
LANGUAGE: SOMALI / NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: OCTOBER 12, 2014 / MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

INTRO: On October 12, 1954, the Somali flag was hoisted for the very first time, marking the end of colonisation and the reunification of regions that were separately being ruled by Italy and Britain. In a bid to foster national unity and pride, the Somali government held elaborate celebrations in the capital Mogadishu on Sunday (October 12) to mark the 60th anniversary of their flag’s creation.

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Somali) SHAMSO ALI MOALIM, MUSICIAN:
“This is the day the Somali flag was created, this flag that has a white star with five-points against a sky blue background. This is the day Somalia won its dignity.”

SCRIPT
On October 12, 1954, the Somali flag was hoisted for the very first time, marking the end of colonisation and the reunification of regions that were separately being ruled by Italy and Britain.

In a bid to foster national unity and pride, the Somali government held elaborate celebrations in the capital Mogadishu on Sunday (October 12) to mark the 60th anniversary of their flag’s creation.

“This is the day the Somali flag was created, this flag that has a white star with five-points against a sky blue background. It’s the color and is the day Somalis won its dignity,” said Shamso Ali Maolim, a musician who took part in the festivities.

The five points on the ‘Star of Unity’, the flag’s main feature, represent the five Somali ethnic groups found in Djibouti, the Ogaden region in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province in Kenya, and the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland territories in present-day Somalia.”

President Hassan Sheikh Mahamud and several of his ministers joined about 2000 people to enjoy traditional songs, dancing and the various other cultural exhibitions that were on display.

The government has called on its people to freely celebrate their rich heritage and express their national pride, now that the Somalia National Army (SNA) – backed by Africa Union peacekeepers has driven extremist group Al-Shabaab out of most urban centres.

“Some people think that the government owns the flag, but that’s not true, this flag belongs to every single Somali citizen,” said Mohammed Osman Jawari, the Speaker of Somalia’s parliament.

“I want the Somali people to help and support each other when and where they can, after that we can ask for international help,” added President Mahamud.

Somalia’s security forces – with support from various partners – continues to improve its ability to protect its people. On Tuesday, October 14, the country’s National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) arrested 15 members of Al-Shabaab after a tip-off from concerned citizens. The successful covert operation was a swift response to a suicide attack at a coffee shop in Mogadishu on Monday (October 13).

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